Hopkins County Central is undefeated in 7th District play after one trip around the league.
The Storm (4-1 overall, 3-0 district) used an early blitz to subdue Caldwell County 88-77 Tuesday night in Mortons Gap.
One minute, Caldwell was within 16-14 midway through the first quarter. Seemingly the next minute, Hopkins Central led 30-14 early in the second period.
Caldwell (3-2, 2-1) could never recover, although the Storm did have to weather a fourth-quarter comeback bid.
Down by as much as 17 points in the second half, the Tigers got as close as seven, 72-65, midway through the fourth quarter.
But Caldwell just could not get enough stops on the defensive end, as Hopkins Central’s quickness and length gave the Tigers fits all night.
Early on, it was the 3-point shooting of the Storm that pushed the home team to the double-digit lead.
Blaze Sumner buried five 3-pointers in the opening stanza, putting up 15 of his 17 points in the contest.
Davonyae Butcher had one 3-pointer in the first quarter and finished the night with three shots from behind the arc as part of his team-high 23-point performance.
Samari Pettus had 15 points for the Storm, Devante Jagoe 14 and Channing Stone 11. Peyton Smith added eight points as the Storm missed a sixth double-figure scorer by just two points.
For Caldwell, Pax Aikins had a game-high 28 points. Ari Wells added 21 points and 15 rebounds. Daelyn Lander had 18 points.
The win means Hopkins Central maintains the upper hand in the all-time series, 33-31. The Tigers could have tied the Storm with a win Tuesday.
The two teams will hook up again Jan. 23 in Princeton.
Next up for Hopkins Central is the St. Mary Christmas Tournament in Paducah. The Storm will face Logan County Friday night.
Caldwell will play at home Monday afternoon against Murray in a makeup date from earlier this season.
Caldwell County 14 18 24 21 — 77
Hopkins Central 28 18 22 20 — 88
Caldwell County (3-2, 2-1)—Aikins 28, Wells 21, Lander 18, D. Wilson 5, Roach 2, K. Wilson 2.
Hopkins County Central (4-1, 3-0)—Butcher 23, Sumner 17, Pettus 15, Jagoe 14, Stone 11, Smith 8.
